Sportswriter Drew Ellis examines the rivalry between Michigan State and U-of-Michigan. Impartial to both, he will judge who is a step ahead or behind both on the football field and on the basketball court. Join in on the debate and follow him on Twitter @ellisdrew

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Maybe nothing, but the Wolverines’ victory on Saturday
sure didn’t quite feel like a 50-point win.

But, perhaps that is a good thing for Michigan.

Both Brady Hoke and quarterback Devin Gardner felt there
was plenty to still work on and I can’t disagree. I wrote a column for The
Oakland Press on Gardner being the one that will make or break this team.

The Michigan offense came out a bit rusty, especially
Gardner. The junior quarterback made some questionable throws early, but once
he settled in, he played a strong game (10-for-15 162 yards 1TD, 2 INT; 7
rushes, 52 yards 2TD). It is clear that Michigan does have the ability to make
plays in the passing game with the current roster. Jeremy Gallon (4 receptions,
47 yards) had a number of difficult catches and tight end Devin Funchess (2
receptions, 47 yards) has all the potential in the world.

The running game was steady, but none of the handful of running
backs that were used put a real stamp on being “the man”. I thought freshman
Derrick Green (11 carries, 58 yards) looked solid and has potential to be a
great back. He seemed to earn himself more carries next week against Notre
Dame.

The Michigan defense only allowed 210 total yards and was
flying to the ball. Granted, the Wolverines faced an offense that lost its
starting quarterback and starting running back in the first quarter, but
Michigan was going to limit Central Michigan regardless.

The Wolverines got some big plays from all three units,
including special teams right off the bat. There are plenty of reasons to
nitpick and point out what went wrong, but you have to remember this was a
season opener and mistakes will take place. The key for Michigan was, it was
still able to score a lot of points and allow very few despite those mistakes.
That’s not something the Michigan State offense could say for itself against a
similar opponent on Friday.

Michigan obviously faces a tough test next Saturday and
that game will provide more of a picture as to what fans can expect from the
Wolverines in 2013.

Friday, August 30, 2013

It was the start of the 2013 college football season for
Michigan State Friday night, but it looked more like a replay of the 2012
season.

Sure, the Spartans picked up a 26-13 win over Western
Michigan at Spartan Stadium, but Michigan State did little to calm the concerns
many have had about this team.

First off, of the 26 points MSU had on the night, 17 were
from the defense. The Spartans had two defensive touchdowns and the defense
handed MSU three points with an interception inside the red zone that the
Spartan offense failed to punch into the end zone.

Michigan State’s offense really didn’t look any different
than it did a year ago. Jeremy Langford rushed for 94 yards, but still only
averaged 4.7 yards per carry against a Western Michigan defense that probably
isn’t going to set records this season. When it comes to the passing game,
Michigan State didn’t attack downfield, averaging just 3.1 yards per pass. When
MSU did try to make some plays through the air, the Spartan receivers (mainly
Bennie Fowler) dropped passes.

Both Andrew Maxwell and Connor Cook did little to plant
themselves in as the clear starting quarterback of this team. Each struggled
with accuracy. Cook made some plays with his legs but was also lucky to not
have had a few interceptions to his credit. Maxwell continued to throw short of
the sticks on third down and didn’t show much presence in the pocket when the
opportunities were there for him to scramble.

The longest play from scrimmage for MSU was a 26-yard
pass to Fowler that was 23 yards of running after the catch. Michigan State
lacked in explosive plays and if the Spartans can only average 3.9 yards per
play against the Broncos, what are they going to do against good defenses?

On the other hand, MSU proved it once again has an elite
defense. The Spartans will be in every game this season because of their
defense. They can blitz, they can tackle and they can make plays in the
secondary. Pat Narduzzi once again has put a great group together and knows
what buttons to push.

The problem for the defense is it has this offense to
work with. If Michigan State had any ability to consistently score, it could
certainly contend for the Big Ten title.

As good as the defense can be, it will still give up the occasional
big play or score. It’s very difficult to pitch a shutout in college football.

It is just the first game of the season, but it was the
first game against a weak opponent. I don’t think anyone on MSU’s football team
or in the Spartan fan base feels very good about this performance.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Michigan has emerged as the preseason favorite to win the
Big Ten Legends Division by many publications. The Wolverines have the talent,
it is just a matter of if they can put it together in 2013. Here are my
game-by-game picks for U-M.

Aug. 31 vs.
Central Michigan – The Chippewas are breaking in a new quarterback in the
Big House. Good luck with that. (1-0)

Sept. 7 vs. Notre
Dame – If not for so many turnovers, Michigan would have won at Notre Dame
last year. I think the Fighting Irish are in for a rough night in Ann Arbor
this time around. (2-0)

Sept. 14 vs. Akron
– Another MAC opponent, another lofty win. (3-0)

Sept. 21 at
Connecticut – The first road game always poses some challenges, but this
should be a win without too much trouble. (4-0)

Oct. 5 vs.
Minnesota – The Golden Gophers just won’t have the athletes to keep up with
Michigan (5-0)

Oct. 12 at Penn
State – The Nittany Lions will make this tough, but the NCAA penalties will
start to be felt. Look for Michigan to grind out this win. (6-0)

Oct. 19 vs.
Indiana – Take the over. (7-0)

Nov. 2 at Michigan
State – I think this is the year Michigan gets a win in East Lansing again.
It will probably be “bowling-shoe ugly,” but I think Michigan stays unbeaten.
(8-0)

Nov. 9 vs.
Nebraska – The Cornhuskers have struggled on the road in previous seasons
and I suspect that will continue. Michigan gets the win here in an entertaining
game. (9-0)

Nov. 16 at
Northwestern – It’s not entirely that I think Michigan will lose to
Northwestern, but I feel this final five-game stretch is too tough to go
unscathed. I will say the Wildcats avenge last year’s loss to the Wolverines at
home. (9-1)

No. 23 at Iowa –
Another tricky road game late in the season. Iowa isn’t what it used to be, but
it still isn’t easy to get a win in Iowa City. Michigan will win this game, but
it won’t be pretty. (10-1)

Nov. 30 vs. Ohio
State – Ohio State will probably have a lot to play for and can play
spoiler to Michigan’s Big Ten title hopes. Despite my picking a loss to
Northwestern, I see the Wildcats dropping a few games along the way as well. If
Michigan wins, it will play for the Big Ten title. Ohio State could play
conservative and play for the following week, but an unbeaten season could be
on the line too. Urban Meyer is building a national power in Ohio State, but
the Buckeyes aren’t quite that dominant force yet. The Wolverines don’t need to
take a backseat to Ohio State right now and I think they get a win over the
Buckeyes at home. (11-1)

Dec. 7 vs. Ohio
State (Big Ten Championship) – As good as the win was for Michigan the
previous week, the loss this time around will have a greater impact. Ohio State
will pull out all the stops and find a way to win on a neutral field. (11-2)

If my predictions hold up, this will still be a strong
season for Michigan. Brady Hoke says winning the Big Ten is always the
expectation, but reaching the title game is still a good accomplishment as he
continues to build up the program again. The schedule isn’t too difficult, but
it also ends with a very tough stretch. Winning the Legends Division won’t be
easy, but Michigan seems equipped to do so if it can keep its stars healthy.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Michigan State has some high hopes to improve on its 7-6
record from 2012 and this year’s schedule sets up nicely for the Spartans to do
that. Here are my game-by-game predictions for MSU this season.

Aug. 30 vs.
Western Michigan – Give the Spartans a W here. Western Michigan has a lot
of new things to incorporate and the Spartans will be eager to put on a show in
the season opener. (1-0)

Sept. 7 vs. South
Florida – This could be a close non-conference game at home, but I
ultimately think the MSU defense will be too strong for the Bulls. (2-0)

Sept. 14 vs.
Youngstown State – Not much needs to be said here. It’s a win. (3-0)

Sept. 21 at Notre
Dame – I think this will be a low-scoring contest and the Spartans won’t be
able to find enough points to come away with a victory. (3-1)

Oct. 5 at Iowa –
Going on the road to face Iowa is always tricky, but the Spartans will be
coming off a bye and should have a good game plan going in. Give MSU a win
here. (4-1)

Oct. 12 vs.
Indiana – MSU can’t sleep on the Indiana offense, as it will be dangerous.
The Spartans will need to score some points to win, which they should be able
to do against the Hoosiers. Despite a few tense moments late, I see MSU getting
the win. (5-1)

Oct. 19 vs. Purdue
– Michigan State gets to face another team with a new head coach here. The
Boilermakers are probably going to have a long season. (6-1)

Oct. 26 at
Illinois – The Illini should be better in their second season under Tim
Beckman, but MSU should still pick up a road win if the defense shows up. (7-1)

Nov. 2 vs. Michigan
– I know MSU has had Michigan’s number at home recently, but I think the
Wolverines are the better team on paper. Barring injuries, I see the Wolverines
grinding out a win. (7-2)

Nov. 16 at
Nebraska – MSU will have to contain Taylor Martinez, which could be a
problem. Martinez ate up the 2012 MSU defense, which I think was better than
this year’s group. I don’t see Michigan State getting this road win. (7-3)

Nov. 23 at
Northwestern – I think Northwestern is going to be very tough this year.
The Wildcats offense should be very challenging to stop. The Wildcats may still
be playing for the Legends Division title at this time, so I give them the nod
at home. (7-4)

Nov. 30 vs.
Minnesota – The Spartans will end the regular season on a positive, beating
Minnesota at home. (8-4)

An 8-4 record isn’t too bad considering the question
marks the Spartans have on offense. Mark Dantonio created new expectations with
a pair of 11-win seasons in 2010 and 2011, but I just don’t think this team has
that capability.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Kickoff week has officially arrived. Both Michigan and
Michigan State face in-state opponents this week to start the season. Here is a
look at the odds for both games:

Michigan State -27
vs. Western Michigan

The Spartans kickoff the season at home against the
Broncos on Friday night at 8 p.m. MSU has done pretty well against the
Mid-American Conference the past few seasons, beating Central Michigan 41-7 in
2012, Central 45-7 in 2011 and Western Michigan 38-14 in 2010. I have plenty of
doubts about how strong the MSU offense will be, but I do think the Spartans
will look good on offense against the Broncos. Western Michigan is breaking in
a lot of new parts, including a new head coach. It will take some time for all
pieces to come together for the Broncos. Also, the Michigan State defense will
probably be very stingy this season, so I can see WMU struggling to score
points. In the end, 27 points is a lot to cover, but I think the Spartans will
be able to do it in this instance.

Michigan -31.5 vs.
Central Michigan

The Wolverines will host the Chippewas for their first
meeting since 2006 on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Michigan has plenty of buzz coming
into the season with Devin Gardner firmly planted as the team’s starting
quarterback. The Michigan offense shouldn’t have too much trouble moving the
ball on the Chippewas, who allowed 432 yards per game last season. Central
Michigan will probably have its own problems on offense as well, as it breaks
in a first-time starter in the Big House. While the Chippewas have a talented
group of running backs, they no longer have Eric Fisher at left tackle to
anchor the offensive line. Michigan should win comfortably, but the question
is, can they win by at least 32 points? The Wolverines come into the game 5-1
against the spread in their last 6 games against MAC opponents, but CMU comes
into the game 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games against the Big Ten. If Michigan is
going to cover, it is going to need at least one defensive or special teams
touchdowns, which is entirely possible.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Some Michigan fans have been waiting a few years for this
time, while others feel Robinson was one of the all-time greats in Michigan’s
football history.

Either way, now is Gardner’s time and the expectations
for him are great.

The junior is a clear upgrade in terms of his passing. He
completed 59.5 percent of his passes last season, going 75-of-126 during the
year, which spanned five games and four starts. Gardner averaged 243.8 passing
yards per game in his five appearances and he accumulated 11 touchdown passes
to five interceptions.

I don’t think it is asking too much for Gardner to throw
for over 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns this season, as long as he stays
healthy. I would expect Michigan to keep Gardner more in the pocket and not
have him do too much running, like it did with Robinson.

Gardner averaged just 2.1 yards per carry last season,
and while he is a great athlete, he is not nearly as comfortable running with
the football as Robinson. I don’t think the Wolverines will shy away from
having Gardner run a few times each game, but I don’t expect them to put
Gardner in a position to get hit often.

Gardner gives Michigan the ability to run a pro-style
offense that should be very effective and should get the Wolverines’ receivers
more involved in the offense. Michigan hasn’t averaged more than 250 passing
yards per game in a season since Lloyd Carr was the head coach. That could
change this season.

What are your expectations for Devin Gardner in 2013?
Will he ultimately be the quarterback that Michigan fans want?

About Me

I work for The Oakland Press as a sports writer and copy editor. I cover college football along with some prep sports. I spent six years covering Central Michigan University football, men's basketball, and baseball for The Morning Sun in Mt. Pleasant.